Campaign reaches £800m

The University of Oxford's fundraising campaign, Oxford Thinking, has gone past the £800m mark, with a donation that will establish the first UK research group dedicated to researching a rare genetic condition that turns muscle to bone. The gift adds to the thousands of other donations to the collegiate University, large and small, from all over the world, that have been received since August 2004. Oxford Thinking: The Campaign for the University of Oxford is the largest fundraising campaign in European university history, with a goal of a minimum of £1.25 billion to support world-class research, teaching and facilities. The £800m milestone has been achieved in under six years: the Campaign began its 'quiet phase' in summer 2004, and launched formally in May 2008. Professor Andrew Hamilton, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, says: 'To have raised £800m in such a short time, in a difficult economic climate, is testament to the extraordinary generosity of Oxford's donors, and their faith that this University is capable of tackling the issues most important to them. 'We are grateful to the thousands of alumni, individuals and foundations who have chosen to support our work. They come from 80 different countries, and have made gifts from a few pounds to tens of millions, for a whole range of different areas of the University's activity.